Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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784. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that farmers (details supplied) who install photovoltaic panels supported by a targeted agriculture modernisation scheme grant are unable to sell excess electricity back to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49610/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides grant aid through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II) to assist farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms for on farm use only.

TAMS is a On-Farm Investment Scheme which is co-funded by the EU Commission, and under the current regulations it is not permitted for excess energy generated by grant-aided investments to be sold to the grid, energy generated can only be consumed on the holding.

The solar PV systems grant aided under TAMS includes Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Panels for water heating under the Pigs and Poultry scheme. An ‘On Farm Solar PV Survey’ must be completed and submitted with the application to quantify the holdings electricity power requirement and the planned electricity supply from the proposed development.

Following a review of power requirements, I have recently increased the maximum size of PV panels eligible for grant aid for the Pig and Poultry scheme to 62kw. A review is also taking place on solar requirements for other schemes.

I have extended the remit of the scheme to allow for a dwelling house on the holding to be included in application for grant-aid, subject to terms and conditions of the scheme. It is also proposed that support for renewable energy investments will continue under TAMS 3 and I expect to be announcing further details on this in the near future.

It should also be remembered that there are other state supports for the installation of solar panels including from the SEAI and all farmers should be examining all options for support.